Bird Lice (or Feather Lice)

Natural Habitat

Typically found on the skin and feathers of domestic and wild birds; often hitchhike into homes via pet birds, bird nests near windows, or attic infestations.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on feather fragments, skin scales, and sometimes blood if the skin is punctured.

Behavior Patterns

Chewing lice that live their entire life cycle on the host. They are highly host-specific and cannot survive for long periods off of a bird host.

Risks & Benefits

While they do not live on humans, they can cause temporary irritation or 'phantom' itching if they crawl on people. They are pests to poultry and pet birds, causing stress and feather loss.

Identified on: 4/4/2026